I've bathed in muck in Colombia and Iceland before, but I have yet to make my way to Israel to slather myself in Dead Sea mud, like a one very lucky Stacy Keibler did this past Friday. Check out the snap she tweeted of herself covered in the good stuff:

Yes, she looks absolutely positively filthy, but in actuality she's on to something here... If you're unfamiliar, allow me to explain why Keibler may have smeared it all over herself, from her face down to her ankles: Black Dead Sea mud is chock full of detoxifying, skin-softening minerals (like sodium and magnesium) that leave every inch of you as smooth as a baby's bottom. (They say Cleopatra traveled to the Dead Sea regularly to indulge in seaside self-spa sessions.)

Until you can make your way over to the Middle East to slop around in the good-for-you sludge, Ahava's Natural Dead Sea Body Mud ($16 at AhavaUs.com) is an excellent substitute.

Just heat it in the microwave for 30 seconds, massage it into your skin (anywhere below the neck), and rinse it off after 15 minutes. Of course you should be prepared to stand still the entire time—the last thing you want to do is track mud through your house!

What do you think about bathing in mud? Interesting or icky? Have you ever been to the Dead Sea? Or, have you ever had a mud mask body treatment at your local spa? Did you love it?